The Erie County Community Foundation believes that philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good and is essential to the quality of life in our county. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and expectations of our donors, we declare that all donors have these rights:

 

• To be informed of the Community Foundation's mission, of the way the Community Foundation intends to use donated resources and of its capacity to use donations only for the intended purposes.

 

• To be informed of the identity of those serving on the Community Foundation's Board of Directors, and to expect the Board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.

 

• To have access to the Community Foundation's most recent financial statements.

 

• To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

 

• To receive appropriate and timely acknowledgment and recognition.

 

• To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and confidentiality.

 

• To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

 

• To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organizations or hired solicitors.

 

• To have the opportunity to delete their names from Community Foundation mailing lists, and to be assured that donor lists will never be sold, rented or exchanged with individuals or organizations not affiliated with the Community Foundation.

 

• To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.